On Sunday, May 29, Pastor Joe Hensley offered a space after the morning service for people to gather and share how they are feeling in the aftermath of recent mass shootings and to share ideas for potential individual and collective action. About 15 people participated in person and on Zoom.
Initially, people just shared personal feelings and perspectives. Later we shared thoughts about action. The group wanted the wider congregation to know both their appreciation of having a space to reflect together as well as some of the ideas that were presented.
These are listed as possibilities for fellow St. Georgians to receive and consider. As followers of Jesus, called to love our neighbors, we can work, individually and collectively, to create a community and a society that values every human life just as God does.
- The Episcopal Public Policy Network is a resource which offers recommended advocacy actions based on our Episcopal faith and previous actions of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
- Create a culture in our local community as well as in the larger society that values human dignity and life, so that if someone is threatening to harm others, people will respond and intervene.
- Check in on your neighbors more often
- Recognize that many of the perpetrators do not have a sense of belonging in their lives. Community is so important.
- There are no short-term, quick fixes for deep hatred
- We need more mental health services and better health care system in general. Look at disparities across different demographics. There is a mental health crisis in the African American community.
- Hold space, personally and in community for feeling angry, sad, scared, worried.
- Check in with teachers and educators in our community to show them our support
- Recognize that Jesus rarely found support from politicians, so we can’t rely solely on politicians to do our work for us
- Wear orange as a sign of support for gun-control measures
- There is going to be a march in Washington, D.C. on June 11
- Be aware of our own violent words and our exposure to violence in media
- Be there for each other and support each other
- Avoid extremist rhetoric
- Examine what leads to a rage culture
- Challenge stereotypes of mental illness: most mentally ill people do not hurt people. Many murders are committed by people who are not mentally ill.
- Learn to regulate our nervous systems through somatic practices
- Write letters to the editor
- Post helpful comments and resources on social media about evidence-based strategies for reducing gun-violence
If you are struggling and would like to speak with a member of clergy, please contact our church office.
St. George’s Episcopal Church will host an afternoon organ concert on Sunday, May 22 at 3 pm. Organists John Vreeland, Achim Loch, and Brooks Kuykendall will perform works by Bach, Buxtehude, Reger, Brahms, Wagner, and more.
We give thanks for the generosity of everyone who gave for this year’s Easter Gratitude Offering. Thank you to all who gave a gift in memory of, in honor of, or in thanksgiving for a loved one.
Laurie Rose Griffith and Peter Mealy will perform a concert with John and Mary Vreeland on Sunday, April 24. The concert is at 3 pm at St. George’s Episcopal Church and is part of the church’s Chamber Concert Series. The concert will feature an eclectic mix of classics, including Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Seals and Crofts, and more, plus original music.
We are pleased to announce our worship schedule for Holy Week and Easter and we joyfully look forward to celebrate this holy time in our church life with you! Our worship services will be in-person and those livestreamed are noted below.